The Oriaku Journal

Handmade matters because a human hand shapes more than metal. It shapes meaning. In Abdou’s workshop in Dakar, focus guides every movement. He guards his attention. A moment of distraction can injure him, so presence becomes part of the craft. His discipline shows why handmade is different. Each piece carries time, intention, and identity. It connects you to the person who made it and to the culture that formed the skill.